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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Prom Dress Making 2013

Several of my nieces follow me on Instagram. When I was making my Mood Lace Project Dress, one of my nieces took particular interest because she wanted to have her prom dress made instead of buying one at retail. So after contacting me earlier this month, we met to discuss what she was looking for in a prom dress. This is a quick sketch of what we decided upon...

My niece's parents are Pastors and I was struck by how she repeatedly said that she wanted an elegant dress that wouldn't disrespect her parents' ministry or the congregants. Wow! How many 17 year olds do you find that have that kind of thought process?! After looking at the pattern companies online together, she chose this dress pattern (Butterick 4343) as a starting point...

I found some swatches at Mood's NYC store. Then after some back and forth she finally settled on a fabric. I made a quick trip to Mood Friday evening to pick up the fabric and a coordinating trim. This is what came home with me...

A med wt silk crepe back satin & an embellished mint lace

Sunday was the first fitting of the dress. The base of the dress is a beautiful medium weight silk crepe back satin. I picked the embellished lace based upon my conversations with my niece. So I was a little nervous about her seeing the dress and it's components since she'd only seen a fabric swatch. I was also concerned about stitching the dress together for the fitting. Silk can be a little temperamental to work with and I didn't want to leave stitching holes in the fabric.After routing through the stash, I found a spool of silk thread (gotta remember to buy more!) which I used to make a sample seam. I stitched it. I pressed it and then I removed the stitches and pressed it again. No noticeable damage. So I proceeded with machine basting the pieces together after cutting them out.Here are pictures from the fitting...

We (my niece, my SIL and my DD) were all thrilled with what I have so far. She has asked for one sleeve. So I will find a sleeve pattern to pair with the dress. Everyone loved the embellished lace - bigsighofrelief! So this is what I will be working on during my five day Memorial Day weekend. ...as always more later!

Beautiful dress! I used that pattern for a prom dress about 11 years ago. It's a classic!! Wow wait until you see the prom dress I made for my niece...it is a little risque! My daughter would never have worn it!!!!!!! Her prom is Friday, so I'll post pics on Saturday. Happy Sewing!

Beautiful choice of fabrics. I am sure your niece will have the loveliest gown at the Prom. It appears (e.g. concern for her parents) that she already has a very lovely nature. Hope she has a wonderful time. Oh, and you are a pretty good aunt, too.

Your niece sounds like a wonderful, caring person and a testimony to the parents who raised her. She will be the most elegant woman in the room. The dress looks beautiful so far. The dress will be a true labor of love.

I know you already know this- but don't do too much more fitting without the final bra/undergarments and shoes. The strapless bra she needs can change the fit of the top. I have had grls come fro fittings in sports bras- not gonna work! The lace is beautiful and mint green is so in right now. She will be appropriate and fashionable. Way to go!

The request that her dress be respectful of your niece's parents' calling is a testament to the wonderful job they're doing. The color is much nicer in the photos of the dress than the picture of the flat fabric. You're giving your niece a dress she can not only wear to the prom, but to other formal events beyond school. She is a lucky girl.

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About Me

If I had to use some words to describe or define myself - sewist, dressmaker, creative fiber artist would definitely be on the list. Fabricaholic would also have to be featured prominently! But mostly I am just a fashionista journeying thorough the sewing world trying to make "magic" with each garment I create.
Check out my Flickr Album
for up close and personal pics. You can reach me via email at cnorman underscore 98 at yahoo dot com

President Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States

My Favorite Quotes

"Looking good is not about what size you wear, but how well the garments fit!"

Connie Crawford

"Am I a fool when I dream of putting art into my dresses, a fool when I say dressmaking is an art?...For I have always loved painters, and felt on an equal footing with them. It seems to me that we practice the same craft..." Paul Poiret

"I think of myself as very basic. I am a craftsperson and I sew like that. I sew beautiful clothes. I am nothing more than a worker sitting behind a sewing machine. That's where I feel most comfortable, that's where I am the best. That's what I do the best and it is very basic."

"Style? It's a sense of knowing what you like. You don't have to be beautiful or slim. It's a spark. It's something that comes from the inside. This is what I am about."